The use of QTL mapping to survey the some of growth traits and the Kleiber ratio index on chromosome two of Japanese quail

A cross F2 plan was used to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting growth on chromosome 2 of quail. In this study, a three-generation population was developed of reciprocal crosses of two strains of Japanese quail (white male layer × wild female broiler and wild male broiler × white female layer). Phenotypic records related to birds’ growth traits of F2 generation (422) were recorded. All three generations of birds for four microsatellite markers on chromosome 2 were genotyped. QTL analysis was performed with least squares interval mapping method based on regression in three various statistical models. In the first model, additive and dominance effects of QTL were fitted and body weight traits in four weeks (p